Deck 1: Careers in Todays Paralegal Profession

Question 1

Paralegals typically obtain their training through:

A)Experience
B)Education
C)Undergraduate courses
D)Law school
E)Experience and education

Answer 1

E

Question 2

Today paralegals often work in:

A)Corporations
B)Government agencies
C)Courts
D)Insurance companies
E)All of these choices are correct

Answer 2

E

Question 3

Who were the first paralegals?

A)Legal secretaries
B)Law clerks
C)Defunct lawyers
D)College graduates

Answer 3

A

Question 4

As a paralegal getting a case ready for trial, you will not spend time:

A)Contacting witnesses
B)Preparing a trial notebook
C)Taking depositions
D)Researching issues

Question 5

Which of the following is not a place a paralegal is likely to work?

A)A corporation
B)An insurance company
C)A farm
D)A real estate firm
E)None of these choices are correct

Question 6

How many paralegal education programs exist today in the United States?

A)Over 300
B)Over 500
C)Over 1,000
D)Over 2,000

Question 7

Today paralegals often work in nontraditional places such as:

A)Restaurants
B)Schools
C)Farms
D)None of these choices are correct

Question 8

The tasks that paralegals perform today were traditionally performed by:

A)Doctors
B)Law professors
C)Low-paid secretaries
D)Attorneys
E)Law professors and low-paid secretaries

Question 9

A paralegal is employed by a:

A)Doctor
B)Lawyer
C)Building contractor
D)Private individuals

Question 10

What was the reason for the growth of paralegal education programs?

A)The demand for lower-cost legal services
B)The public started using paralegals
C)The lawyers realized the benefits
D)The demand for lower-cost legal services and the lawyers realized the benefits

Question 11

Which of the following are tasks that paralegals may perform?

A)Draft legal documents
B)Conduct legal research
C)Interview clients and witnesses
D)Conduct legal investigations
E)All of these choices are correct

Question 12

Which of the following is true of paralegals?

A)They may practice law
B)They may not practice law
C)They only do secretarial work
D)They are granted a license to work by the state

Question 13

The term paralegal is often used interchangeably with the term:

A)Legal secretary
B)Law clerk
C)Legal assistant
D)Partner

Question 14

Which of the following is a task that paralegals may not perform?

A)Draft legal documents
B)Conduct legal research
C)Interview clients and witnesses
D)Conduct legal investigations
E)Paralegals may perform all of the listed tasks

Question 15

What are the tasks paralegals spend the most time performing?

A)Drafting legal documents
B)Client relations
C)Research
D)All of these choices are correct

Question 16

Today paralegals often work in:

A)Restaurants
B)Schools
C)Courts
D)Farms

Question 17

Where would you be likely to find a paralegal education program?

A)At a community college
B)At a four-year college
C)At a business school
D)All of these choices are correct

Question 18

Experienced paralegals earn average compensation around:

A)$30,000
B)$40,000
C)$70,000
D)$200,000

Question 19

In addition to legal assistant, a paralegal may be referred to as a(n):

A)Legal technician
B)Legal research specialist
C)Official legal specialist
D)Legal technician or legal research specialist

Question 20

When did the first formal paralegal education programs begin?

A)In the early 1950s
B)In the late 1960s
C)In the mid 1970s
D)In the early 1980s

Question 21

California was the first state to:

A)Promote high standards of paralegal education
B)Unionize paralegals
C)Require a paralegal to meet certain minimum educational requirements
D)Regulate the paralegal profession

Question 22

The AAfPE was formed by in 1981.

A)Judges
B)Educators
C)Lawyers
D)Students

Question 23

The NFPA is:

A)An association of attorneys
B)A state bar association
C)A legal secretary's association
D)A paralegal association

Question 24

Which of the following states has implemented a voluntary statewide certification program for paralegals?

A)Arizona
B)Michigan
C)Texas
D)New Jersey

Question 25

Paralegal programs at community colleges are typically:

A)Two years long, requiring about 60 semester hours
B)Six-week short courses
C)One year long, requiring about 30 semester hours
D)Four years long

Question 26

Which of the following is true of NALA?

A)It is an attorney's association
B)It is a paralegal association
C)It is a legal secretary's association
D)All of these choices are correct

Question 27

An example of substantive law is:

A)Court rules specifying the documents needed to begin a lawsuit
B)A law prohibiting employment discrimination
C)A rule specifying when a document must be filed with a court
D)All of these choices are correct

Question 28

Paralegal students study:

A)Procedural law
B)Substantive law
C)Specialties within substantive law
D)All of these choices are correct

Question 29

A law requiring that a complaint be filed to begin a lawsuit is an example of:

A)Procedural law
B)Substantive law
C)Employment law
D)All of these choices are correct

Question 30

Which of the following statements is true?

A)Paralegal schools must meet ABA standards to be certified
B)Paralegals from non-ABA schools are not certified
C)Paralegal schools are not required to get ABA approval
D)Paralegal schools without ABA approval do not give credit

Question 31

Educational options for paralegals include:

A)Postgraduate certificates
B)Paralegal certificates
C)Associate's degrees
D)Bachelor's degrees
E)All of these choices are correct

Question 32

Substantive law is law that:

A)Creates procedures for enforcing rights
B)Creates legal rights
C)Creates legal obligations
D)Creates court rules
E)Creates legal rights and legal obligations

Question 33

An example of procedural law is:

A)A law prohibiting employment discrimination
B)A law making stealing a crime
C)A law requiring that a complaint be filed to begin a lawsuit
D)A law requiring a person to be 16 years old to obtain a driver's license

Question 34

Procedural law is law that:

A)Creates legal rights
B)Defines how rights are enforced
C)Creates legal obligations
D)All of these choices are correct

Question 35

A law prohibiting employment discrimination is an example of:

A)Procedural law
B)Substantive law
C)Employment law
D)All of these choices are correct

Question 36

Which of the following states requires paralegals to be certified?

A)Texas
B)California
C)New Jersey
D)No state requires paralegals to be certified

Question 37

NALA and NFPA are:

A)Affiliate paralegal associations
B)State bar associations
C)The two leading national paralegal associations
D)None of these choices are correct

Question 38

Which of the following is a professional association responsible for setting educational standards for paralegals?

A)NFPA
B)AAfPE
C)NALA
D)LAMA

Question 39

Since the ABA has had an established set of educational standards for paralegal training programs.

A)1960
B)1974
C)1984
D)1994

Question 40

The AAfPE was formed in 1981 in order to:

A)Promote high standards of paralegal education
B)Unionize paralegals
C)Increase paralegal wages
D)Regulate the paralegal profession

Question 41

A CLA is:

A)A legal assistant who has passed the bar exam
B)A legal assistant who has passed the NFPA certification exam
C)A legal assistant who has passed the NALA certification exam
D)A licensed paralegal

Question 42

One of the most important areas to become familiar with during paralegal training is:

A)Online communications
B)Written communications
C)Fax machine operation
D)Sustainability

Question 43

Legal analysis is critical to a paralegal's duties because:

A)It is integral to helping lawyers formulate arguments
B)The Paralegal Code says it is
C)Paralegals must be able to offer unique legal advice to clients
D)All of these choices are correct

Question 44

Legal assistants must be able to keep confidences because:

A)Clients do not like their secrets told
B)Paralegals should not gossip
C)It is an ethical rule imposed on attorneys
D)Clients do not like their secrets told and it is an ethical rule imposed on attorneys

Question 45

Which organization voted to establish the Paralegal Advanced Competency Exam (PACE)?

A)NALA
B)AAfPE
C)NFPA
D)ABA

Question 46

Which of the following organizations administers the CLA and the APC exams?

A)State bar associations
B)NFPA
C)NALA
D)PLA

Question 47

What does the designation "RP" behind a paralegal's name stand for?

A)Registered Professional
B)PACE-Registered Paralegal
C)Responsible Paralegal
D)None of these choices are correct

Question 48

The Paralegal Advanced Competency Exam (PACE) can be taken by paralegals who:

A)Have at least two years of work experience and meet specific educational requirements
B)Belong to a paralegal union
C)Have at least a year of work experience
D)Are sponsored by their employer

Question 49

Which of the following are skills needed by paralegals?

A)Organizational skills
B)Analytical skills
C)Computer skills
D)All of these choices are correct

Question 50

An associate's degree signifies:

A)Completion of a two-year program, usually at a community college
B)Completion of a four-year program at a college or university
C)Completion of a paralegal program of study at a private business or trade school
D)Completion of a paralegal program by someone with a bachelor's degree

Question 51

A paralegal who has at least two years of work experience and meets specific educational requirements can:

A)Take the Paralegal Advanced Competency Exam (PACE)
B)Obtain a special certificate
C)Take continuing education classes for free
D)Join an elite paralegal union

Question 52

The difference between a paralegal certificate and a postgraduate certificate is:

A)A paralegal certificate is awarded to those with an associate's degree
B)A paralegal certificate is awarded to those with a bachelor's degree
C)A paralegal certificate is awarded to those with a high school diploma or its equivalent
D)None of these choices are correct

Question 53

Paralegals with which of the following skills will have an edge in the job market?

A)Copying skills
B)Basic word processing skills
C)Current technology skills
D)Secretarial skills

Question 54

Communication skills include which of the following?

A)Reading skills
B)Oral communication skills
C)Listening skills
D)Writing skills
E)All of these choices are correct

Question 55

Which of the following is part of good speaking skills?

A)Facial expression
B)Correct grammar
C)Posture
D)All of these choices are correct

Question 56

Which of the following is part of professional paralegal behavior?

A)Objectivity
B)Courtesy under pressure
C)Responsibility and reliability
D)All of these choices are correct

Question 57

Poor communication can:

A)Damage a case
B)Destroy a client relationship
C)Harm a legal professional's reputation
D)All of these choices are correct

Question 58

The APC designation means that:

A)A legal assistant has passed a test demonstrating general legal competence
B)A legal assistant has passed a bar exam
C)A legal assistant has passed a test demonstrating competence in a legal
D)A legal assistant is a member of APC-a legal assistant organization

Question 59

Paralegals may discuss client information with:

A)Spouses
B)Immediate family members
C)The group working on the case
D)All of these choices are correct

Question 60

Which of the following states requires minimum CLE hours from all individuals who work as paralegals?

A)Texas
B)Florida
C)Hawaii
D)California

Question 61

As a paralegal, you will be judged based on:

A)Your actions
B)Your appearance
C)Your attitude
D)All of these choices are correct

Question 62

Which of the following is not a disadvantage of working for a small law firm?

A)More specialized work
B)Substantial amounts of secretarial or clerical work
C)Smaller salaries and benefit packages, if any
D)None of these choices are correct

Question 63

Which of the following is a disadvantage of working for a small law firm?

A)More specialized work
B)Formal work environment
C)Substantial amounts of secretarial or clerical work
D)More overtime

Question 64

Although smaller law firms may pay lower salaries, it is also important to consider when thinking about compensation differentials.

A)Free parking
B)Location
C)A relaxed dress code
D)All of these choices are correct

Question 65

Which of the following are places where paralegals work?

A)Law firms
B)Corporations
C)Government agencies
D)All of these choices are correct

Question 66

Which of the following is a benefit of working for a small law firm?

A)A formal work environment
B)Office procedures and employment policies are clearly defined and often set forth in a written manual
C)Greater opportunities for promotions and advancement, and better salaries and benefits
D)The opportunity to gain a variety of work experience in many areas of the law

Question 67

Which of the following is a disadvantage of working for a small law firm?

A)More specialized work
B)Formal work environment
C)Smaller salaries and benefit packages, if any
D)More overtime

Question 68

Which of the following is not a benefit of working for a small law firm?

A)A formal work environment
B)A less formal work environment
C)Greater flexibility
D)The opportunity to gain a variety of work experience in many areas of the law

Question 69

In contrast to small law firms, large law firms:

A)Are more formal
B)Offer lower salaries
C)Offer few benefits
D)Tend to provide free parking

Question 70

When paralegals first established themselves in the legal community in the 1960s, they mostly worked in:

A)Law firms
B)Corporations
C)Government agencies
D)None of these choices are correct

Question 71

Which of the following is an important attribute for modern legal professionals?

A)Being personable
B)Being collaborative
C)Being entrepreneurial
D)All of these choices are correct

Question 72

Generally, paralegal organizations are in favor of:

A)Voluntary certification
B)State licensing programs
C)Mandatory certification programs
D)Technical licensing programs

Question 73

Paralegals working for large law firms typically:

A)Receive lower salaries
B)Get few benefits
C)Have free parking
D)Have responsibilities limited to specific, well-defined types of tasks

Question 74

of all paralegals work in law firms.

A)One-fourth
B)Two-thirds
C)One-third
D)One-half

Question 75

One of the main reasons that most paralegals start out in small law firms is that:

A)Small law firms outnumber large ones
B)Only small law firms use paralegals
C)Employment laws require inexperienced paralegals to start with small companies
D)None of these choices are correct

Question 76

A paralegal educational program that has satisfied the standards for paralegal training set forth by the ABA is called:

A)A NALA-approved program
B)An ABA-approved program
C)An ABA-accredited program
D)A NALA-accredited program

Question 77

Which of the following entities do most paralegals work for?

A)Law firms
B)Corporations
C)Government agencies
D)Nonprofit businesses

Question 78

Which of the following is not a benefit of working for a small law firm?

A)A less formal work environment
B)The opportunity to gain a variety of work experience in many areas of the law
C)Greater flexibility
D)All of these choices are correct

Question 79

Most paralegals work in settings with:

A)More than 25 lawyers
B)Fewer than 25 lawyers
C)More than 50 lawyers
D)Fewer than 5 lawyers

Question 80

Which of the following is not a place where paralegals work?

A)Law firms
B)Corporations
C)Government agencies
D)None of these choices are correct